[VP 16-213 in combination with endoxan, methotrexate and oncovin as polychemotherapy for bronchogenic carcinoma]

Thirty patients with bronchogenic carcinoma underwent an 8 week course of induction therapy consisting of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, vincristine, and VP 16-213 (NSC 141 540). Those who achieved objective remission or tumor stabilization were then placed on an intermittent treatment schedule with the same drugs. Of the 30 patients, 17 had an objective response, 5 were unchanged and 8 progressed. Responses were more frequent in anaplastic carcinoma (13/19) than epidermoid or adenocarcinoma (4/11). The toxicity mainly consisted of leukopenia, thrombopenia, alopecia, nausea and vomiting. The implications of these findings in the planning of further chemotherapeutic programs are discussed.